The annual event is to strengthen regional interagency partnerships and communication, as well as to improve the life-saving processes and skills required of SAR agencies.

Coast Guard officials told News 3 this event helps to reinforcement their commitment to work together to save lives.

“This area unlike any other area that I’ve been stationed in in the Coast Guard, Peggy Britton, the Coast Guard’s Chief of Response, said. “People work together without ego, without pride or prejudice because they care more about the people we’re looking for.”